Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“Nope. I’m good. I’ll just go grab my stuff.”
In the shared bedroom, she quickly packed clothes she would need for the next couple of weeks. She could always come back for more if she got tired of wearing them. Even under the watchful eye of her sister, she was able to get the one thing she needed most into her suitcase. She crossed her fingers that the vibrator would ease the need growing inside her.
When she picked up her childhood stuffie, Sheila made fun of her. “Don’t you think it’s time you gave up your stuffed animal? How many college graduates still sleep with one every night?”
“Firefly will be with me forever. Some friends are for life.”
Aurora had known upon seeing the stuffie that he was hers. She’d always been a compliant child, not one who used tantrums to get her way. That day remained in her memory as clear as day. She could not leave without Firefly and had sat down in the middle of the aisle with the stuffie pressed to her heart. Finally, her father had given her an advance on her allowance to buy him. Aurora hadn’t cared a bit about losing her spending money. Firefly was worth that and more.
Pushing her sister’s teasing from her mind, Aurora checked her closet for anything else she needed to take with her. She ran through the things she knew she’d need. Jeans, check. Leggings, check. T-shirts, check. Underwear, check. Hmmm, I might need some fancier clothes.
Scrutinizing her choices, Aurora picked out a pair of slacks and a white button-down shirt. As a lark, she grabbed the short black cocktail dress she’d worn to bars. It was nice enough that if her grandparents had a dinner party she could dress for the event.
Walking out the front door, she lugged everything to her sensible sedan. All that remained was to hug everyone goodbye and make sure she had her charger.
“Hey, Dad. On my way out. Do you know where Mom is?” Aurora asked, bracing her hand on the leather recliner next to the twin that held her father.
“What’s that on your hand?” he asked.
Bemused, she held out her right hand, palm up. Maybe he was going to give her some money. To her surprise, he turned it over to look at the normally smooth skin on top of her hand. There were some raised bumps on it. He stroked a finger over one small section.
“Eccch!” She yanked her hand away and slapped it over her mouth as a wave of overwhelming nausea almost made her throw up.
“I thought you said you weren’t sick?” her sister taunted from the entrance to the hallway.
“Talk to my mom about your hand,” her father said quietly. Looking more serious than she’d seen him before, he pulled Aurora into his arms and hugged her tightly before releasing her. “Go on. You can call your mom later and explain.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Aurora fled through the front door and gulped fresh air desperately. The nausea abated quickly. Jumping into her car, she turned on the radio to distract herself and drove away. Maybe she was sick. Grandma would know what to do. She always knew.
Her eyes automatically went to the mountain in front of her. The smoke had lessened. Whatever it was, it looked like it would not be a threat now.
Chapter 2
“Aurora! Let me help you.” Her grandfather greeted her and plucked her rolling suitcase handle from her hand.
Knowing she couldn’t stop him, Aurora said simply, “Thanks, Grandpa. You’re the best. I hope you don’t mind me invading you.”
“Of course not! Your grandmother gets tired of hearing my old stories,” he said, ushering her inside.
“I do not,” her grandmother said pertly from the elegant foyer.
Knowing the house was ancient, Aurora was always surprised how homey and welcoming it was. “Hi, Grandma.”
“Hi, Aurora.” She greeted her granddaughter warmly before walking forward. “Stanley, take her things to the pink bedroom for us. I’m going to make our granddaughter some ginger tea.”
“Dad called you.”
“He did.”
Her grandmother wrapped an arm around her waist to guide her into the kitchen. Without thinking, Aurora moved away immediately when something felt wrong. “Sorry! I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. Maybe I didn’t get enough sleep.”
“Come with me,” her grandmother requested, gesturing for her to follow.
Sitting on the table was a large book. It was dusty and the edges of the pages were uneven. Two folded pieces of paper lay on one page, isolating a section of the text. It looked like a prop in a scary movie. “You’re not going to tell me you’re a witch, are you?”
“No. I’m going to make tea and you’re going to read the part between the pieces of paper.”
Rolling her eyes with her back turned so her grandmother couldn’t see, Aurora sat down in front of the tome and read.